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Portland Vase

Portland Vase

Portland Vase is a Roman amphora from the 1st century AD, currently on display at the British Museum in London. Its designation is associated with the Dukes of Portland, family in whose collection this piece remained between 1785 and 1945. In 1845 the piece was deliberately damaged by a visitor to the Museum, breaking into …

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Escultura Animal

Large Fish by Luiz Ferreira

Animal Sculpture Animals have always been a relevant artistic object and Paleolithic man already created animal sculptures of extraordinary sensitivity. Representations of horses and lions are among the best works of Assyrian sculpture, Egyptian sculptors produced naturalistic depictions of cattle, donkeys, hippos, monkeys and a wide variety of birds and fish and ancient Chinese sculptors …

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Tabernáculo representando Basílica

SILVER IN RELIGION

Tabernacle representing the Basilica Medieval Catholic-Roman worship presupposed a style of worship sustained by sumptuous decoration and an abundance of grand ceremonies. In Catholic the tradition, devotion to God could be demonstrated by displaying wealth and splendor, with ceremonies designed to impress making use of silver and gold items. Medieval cults had highly ornamented silver …

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Cartier

Soon after having taken control of his master Adolphe Picard’s workshop, Louis-François Cartier founded Cartier in 1847.  With the raise of the French Second Empire, the business prospered in a decade with the opening of Cartier’s first store in 1859.  Louis-François’ son, Alfred, took care of the business and moved it to the prestigious Rue …

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TIFFANY & CO.

Tiffany & Co. is an American company specialized in the design and commerce of jewels.  It was founded in New York on 18th September 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young, denominated Tiffany, Young and Ellis. The present name started to be used in 1853, when Charles Tiffany took control of the company. The …

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ANTÓNIO FIRMO DA COSTA – A SUCCESSFUL SILVERSMITH

Among Lisbon’ silversmiths which accompanied the transition of the century, the name of António Firmo da Costa stands out.  Active between 1793 and 1824, his work reveals in quality and number the path of a master pioneer author of pieces of undeniable originality. Talented He started in the art of silversmithing when he was 12 …

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The Portuguese Jewelery and its Masters

Portuguese jewelery is closely linked to the history of Portugal.  It lived majestically in palaces, churches and castles. It participated in the celebrations of the glorification of war victories, in the processions of Faith, and above all in the manifestations of national awareness. Cultural Heritage It filled the holy places with the most beautiful objects …

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Jewels in the portraits of the 18th Century

The significance attributed to the various objects the elites used to surround themselves with has recently enjoyed a growing interest from some sectors of the scientific community. Silverware, jewelry and fabrics are joined by portraits of themselves or their ancestors revealing the significance of various objects. Jewelry was of extremely importance In fact, the making …

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KUTCHINSKY

The Kutchinsky family started their business in 1893 when Hirsch Kutchinsky arrived in England having fled Poland along with his son Morris and other members of the family.  They already had many years of experience in the trade, having been the court jewellers of Ludwig of Bavaria, and wasted no time in opening up a …

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Art Deco Earrings

From delicate drops to circular clusters, Art Deco earrings reflect the streamlined yet elegant sensibilities of the movement: bold colors, geometric patterns, and extended ornamentation. One gemstone frequently used in jewelry during that era, which lasted from mid-1920s to late 1930s, was the diamond. Art Deco Earrings Glistening with inset diamonds that enveloped precious pearls, …

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Andrew Grima

One of the most important jewellery designer Andrew Grima (1921-2007), was born in Rome, the son of a Maltese father and an Italian mother, descendant of the Farnese, a celebrated Italian Renaissance family. One of the most important jewellery designer He was the most important modern jewellery designer in London in the 1960s and 1970s. …

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O Koh-Í-Noor

Koh-Í-Noor is one of the most famous diamonds in the world, alongside twelve others, among them are the Star of Africa, the Eye of the Idol and the Blue Hope.  Currently the Koh-Í-Noor belongs to the British Crown and since 1937 decorates a crown specially made for the Queen Mother, for the day of her …

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Elizabeth Taylor

The Hollywood’s golden years The actress (1932-2011) had one of the most important jewelry collections from the 50s and 60s. The 1950s and 1960s were Hollywood’s golden years, when studios evolved the most. As a young MGM star, everyone fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor’s dark hair, blue eyes and thick eyebrows, the result …

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craftsmanship of silver

Collecting Silver

Craftsmanship of silver Craftsmanship of silver is a decorative art in which the mastery and creative genius of craftsmen has been reaching new levels of excellence in every work they make thought the centuries. Silver works, with their subtle shine, not only contribute to create an exquisite decoration, but also to create a compelling drive …

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Anel Mauboussin

Mauboussin Ring

History Mauboussin, one of the great Jewellery houses of Paris, has its origins in the House Noury, founded in 1827. In 1877, Georges Mauboussin (1862-1940) became an apprentice in the jewellery company of his uncle, Jean-Baptiste Noury, becoming in 1883 the creative director and, in 1903, its sole owner. In 1922, the House changes its …

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Diamantes

Diamonds: An attractive investment

Few precious stones hold such universal fascination as diamonds. Their unique shine has captivated human beings for thousands of years – more precisely, since 400BC, when its extraction began in India. Symbolism Symbolizing power, the eternity quality of love, truth, transparency, purity and immortality, this pure carbon crystal follows the history of humankind. In Ancient …

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Pulseira David Webb

David Webb Bracelet

History David Webb (1925-1975) was an important North-American jeweller. Born in North Carolina, this self-taught master first got into jewellery by working in his uncle’s jewellery craft shop. Webb moved to New York, where his unique creativity was soon noticed. He opened his own jewellery shop in 1945. The ‘golden years’ of his production are …

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La Peregrina

Few pearls gave origin to such enthusiasm and even obsession like the internationally known “La Peregrina”.It is believed that this pear-shaped pearl is one of the most symmetrical natural pearls ever to be found. It is rich in history, glamour and folklore. History From a path to freedom to an extraordinary Valentine’s day gift, this …

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